White Sox are 'embarrassed'

Wednesday

CHICAGO - Confetti fell and euphoria reigned as manager Ozzie Guillen and his team paraded through the streets after the Chicago White Sox won the World Series for the first time in 88 years.

That day less than two years ago seems so long ago now.

In a stunning and swift collapse, the White Sox have plummeted to the bottom of the AL Central at 57-74. And with five weeks left this season, the only AL team with a poorer record is Tampa Bay.

Guillen hasn't lost his fondness for talking, but one word that has come tumbling out several times this season is "embarrassed," often used to describe his team's play.

"This year is the hardest year I've ever had in my career, even when I was player," Guillen said. "This is the hardest one, not because we're losing. I feel like we let a lot of people down. We have a better ballclub than what we've shown, and I take full responsibility."

The White Sox hit another low last weekend, when the visiting Boston Red Sox won four consecutive games by a combined 46-7.

"We've played horrible," Guillen said, describing not just the four games against AL East-leading Boston but most of the season.

Some frustration surfaced in the series when catcher A.J. Pierzynski and hitting coach Greg Walker had words in the dugout. Pierzynski said it's happened before, will happen again and was no big deal.

Pierzynski insists he and Walker are fine.

Guillen told the team in a recent meeting to keep playing hard. It isn't translating into wins.

But here's how bad it's gotten: The White Sox lost 13 of 15 before beating Tampa Bay on Monday, falling 18 games under .500 for the first time since 1989.

Guillen promised next year's team will be a good one.

"I don't know who's going to be there," he said. "But it can't be worse than this."

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